Bridle-bit



(No Model.)

A. F. KIBHL. BRIDLE BIT.

No. 570,312. Patented Oct. 27, 1896.

UNITED STATES AUGUST F. KIEHL, OF NORFOLK, NEBRASKA, ASSIGNOR OFONE-THIRD TO FREDERICK O. KIEI-IL, OF REEDSVILLE, \VISOONSIN.

BRlDLE- BlTr SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 570,312,dated October 27, 1896.

Application filed April 3 0, 1 8 9 6.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUST F. KIEHL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Norfolk, in the county of Madison and State of Nebraska,have invented a new and useful Bridle-Bit, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to an improvement in bridle-bits, and has for itsobject to pro- 10 vide a simple and powerful bit which may be usedsimply as an ordinary mild bit oras a severe bit for vicious and unrulyhorses.

The principal object of the present invention is to render the said bitself-locking, so

that after it has been used to gag the horse it will automatically berestored to a simple mild bit upon slacking the supplemental reins.

To this end the invention consists in cerzo iain novel features anddetails of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fullydescribed, illustrated in the drawings, and finally embodiedin theclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is 2 5 a perspective View of theimproved bit. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same closed and adaptedfor use as a simple driving-bit. Fig. 3 is a similar View showing thebit open. Fig. 4 is a detail front elevation showing the giverg encebetween the snaffle-bars and lockars.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in theseveral figures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates a bit-bar which isdivided 1011- gitudinally or formed in two substantially semicircularhalves, each section being c011- nected at its opposite ends to a pairof ogee- 4o shaped snaffle-bars 2, the latter being spaced sufficientlyapart to lie comfortably at the sides of the animals mouth. Two U shapedframes are thus formed, and the same are connected pivotally atcorresponding points 3 to a pair of oppositely-disposed fulcrumplates inthe form of loops 4, which receive the extremities of the reins orlines. The

extremities of the snaffle-bars 2 are curved forward in such manner asto bring their extremities 5 substantially into vertical aline- SerialNo. 599,728. (No model.)

ment with the pivots 3 above referred to, and such extremities areperforated to receive the pivots 6 of lock-bars 7, which extend fromthence inward toward each other and connect pivotally at theiroverlapping adjacent ends to a common bearing-loop 8.

Two pairs of lock-bars 7 are employed, one pair at each side of the bit,and the loops 8 are bifurcated or formed with parallel perforated ears9, which embrace the lapped inner ends of the lock-bars 7 and receive athrough-pivot 10. The lock-bars 7 are bowed outwardly in oppositedirections and away from the snaffle-bars in order to provide the properclearance between the same, and their common pivot 10 is adapted to moveto a point in advance of a line drawn through the pivots 6, as shown inFig. 2, so as to form a lock-joint and lock the bit in its closedposition, as shown in said figure, the link or loop 8 itself acting inthe capacity of a stop for limiting the forward vibration of thelockbars.

Retracting-springs 11 connect the snafflebars 2 in advance of theirpivotal connection with the loops 4 and serve by their tension torestore the bit to its closed position, as shown in Fig. 2, from itsopen position. (Shown in Fig. 23.) The snaffle-bars are formed inopposite sides with recesses or depressions 12, and So the webintervening between said recesses is perforated to receive the hookedend of the spring. This enables each spring to be located within theplane of its respective snafflebars and prevents chafing of the horsesmonth. One of the bit-bar sections 1 is also provided at its oppositeends with studs or projections 13, which enter corresponding sockets inthe remaining section, thus preserving the proper relation between the 9hinged members of the bit and removing strain therefrom.

The bit is also provided with slots 14 to receive the bridlecheek-pieces and with other slots 15 to holdthe overdraw-oheckrein.

By means of the construction above described both a mild and a severebit are obtained in one. WVhen the lock-bars are thrown forward by thesprings into the position shown in Fig. 2, a straight bit is formedwhich is mild enough for the most tender-mouthed horse. Vhen, however,the lock-bars are drawn backward by means of the supplemental reinsattached to the loops 8, the sections of the bit-bar are moved apartwith great force, as the lock-bars act in the capacity of toggle-levers,and the most vicious and unruly horse maybe easily controlled by thismeans. The driving-reins will be ordinarily connected to the loops 4:,but they may be connected primarily to the loops 8, thereby making acombination mild and severe bit at the option of the driver. As quicklyas both reins are pulled the lock-bars are drawn backward, therebyopening the bit, so that the lower half of the bit-bar presses againstthe tongue of the animal and the lower portion of its mouth, While theupper half of the bitbar presses against the tender roof of the mouth.This operation strains the facial muscles of the animal to such anextent as to render the animal easily and completely controlled. Itbeing necessary to pull both reins simultaneously in order to unlock thebit or open it, itwill be obvious that one rein may be pulled forguiding the animal Without the liability of opening the bit.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details ofconstruction may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In abridle -bit, the combination with snaffle-bars arranged in pairs eachcarrying a section of the bit-bar and pivotally connected, as described,of lock bars pivoted to the snafiie-bars and connected pivotally attheir adjacent ends, substantially as specified.

2. In a bridle-bit, the combination With snatlie-bars arranged in pairseach carrying a section of the bit-bar, of loops interposed between saidsnal'iie-bars and pivotally connected thereto in rear of the bit-bar andadapted to receive the reins, means for holding the bit normally closedor straight, and a pair of loclcbars pivotally connected to theextremities of the snaffle-bars and connected pivotally at theiradjacent inner ends to a loop to which a rein is adapted to be attached,substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as myown I have hereto afiixedmy signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

AUGUST F. KIEIIL. \Vitnesses:

AUG. BRUMMUND, ALBERT WILDE.

